16 papers in the library · 664 citations · publishing 2016-2026
July 31, 2026 Samantha Lee Treasure, Alexander de Foe, Sam Gandy et al. preprint
The primary aim of this study is to explore the demographic, experiential, and phenomenological variables of entity encounters during out-of-body experiences (OBEs) through an online survey shared with adults.
2026 Sitara Taddeo, Garret Yount, Sam Gandy et al. preprint
Abstract This describes the design and analytic plan for a longitudinal, within-subjects evaluation of an online experiential workshop focused on learning to self-induce out-of-body experiences (OBEs). Outcomes are assessed using a comprehensive battery of validated and exploratory measures, alongside additional standardized scales targeting absorption, mystical experience, death attitudes, and...
Frontiers in Conservation Science September 29, 2025 Anna O. Ermakova, Sam Gandy
Psychedelics have a profound potential to catalyze psychological transformation and support traditional cultures and ways of life. However, many naturally occurring psychoactive plants and animals are facing threats from climate change, habitat loss and other anthropogenic pressures like overharvesting. In this narrative review we examine the conservation issues pertaining to some of the most...
Psychoactives December 6, 2024 Alexander Irvine, David Luke, Freya Harrild et al. correction
The authors would like to make the following corrections to this published paper [...]
Drug Science, Policy and Law 2024 Simon Ruffell, Sam Gandy, WaiFung Tsang et al. 10 citations
Indigenous Amazonian shamanic ayahuasca practice is embedded in a nature-based context and is employed as an ecological mediating agent and in collective environmental decision-making processes by some of the groups that use it. Phenomenologically, the ayahuasca experience is often rich in nature-based themes and content, and its usage has been associated with eliciting shifts in perspectives...
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences Reports December 1, 2023 Simon Ruffell, Max Crosland-Wood, Rob Palmer et al. 37 citations
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic plant brew originating from the Amazon rainforest. It is formed from two basic components, the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and a plant containing the potent psychedelic dimethyltryptamine (DMT), usually Psychotria viridis. Here we review the history of ayahuasca and describe recent work on its pharmacology, phenomenological responses, and clinical applications. There...
Psychoactives May 25, 2023 Alexander Irvine, David Luke, Freya Harrild et al. 22 citations
Objective: To explore the perceived influence of psychedelic experiences on participants’ relationship with the natural world. Method: A total of 272 participants reporting previous use of psychedelics completed free-text response requests via an online survey. Thematic analysis was used to explore group participant responses. Results: Participants who described a pre-existing relationship with...
Journal of Psychopharmacology 2023 Matthias Forstmann, Christina Sagioglou, Alexander Irvine et al. 18 citations
Background: Past research reports a positive relationship between experience with classic serotonergic psychedelics and nature relatedness (NR). However, these studies typically do not distinguish between different psychedelic compounds, which have a unique psychopharmacology and may be used in specific contexts and with different intentions. Likewise, it is not clear whether these findings can...
Psychopharmacology August 8, 2022 Rosalind Watts, Hannes Kettner, Dana Geerts et al. 159 citations
Abstract Rationale A general feeling of disconnection has been associated with mental and emotional suffering. Improvements to a sense of connectedness to self, others and the wider world have been reported by participants in clinical trials of psychedelic therapy. Such accounts have led us to a definition of the psychological construct of ‘connectedness’ as ‘a state of feeling connected to...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies March 22, 2022 Sam Gandy 19 citations
Abstract Mystical experiences are often described as being among the most profound and meaningful events of a person’s life. Their occurrence, while a normal but uncommon phenomenon, is reliably occasioned by psychedelic substances under the appropriate conditions, although care is needed around the context of usage to help ensure safe and beneficial experiences. The occurrence of mystical...
Drug Science, Policy and Law 2022 Sam Gandy, Valerie Bonnelle, Edward Jacobs et al. 26 citations
Creativity, that is the creation of ideas or objects considered both novel and valuable, is among the most important and highly valued of human traits, and a fundamental aspect of the sciences. Dreams and hypnagogic states have been highly influential in promoting scientific creativity and insight, contributing to some important scientific breakthroughs. Phenomenologically, the latter states of...
Health Psychology Open July 1, 2020 Sam Gandy, Matthias Forstmann, Robin Lester Carhart-Harris et al. 64 citations
Therapeutic psychedelic administration and contact with nature have been associated with the same psychological mechanisms: decreased rumination and negative affect, enhanced psychological connectedness and mindfulness-related capacities, and heightened states of awe and transcendent experiences, all processes linked to improvements in mental health amongst clinical and healthy populations....
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health December 16, 2019 Hannes Kettner, Sam Gandy, Eline Haijen et al. 159 citations
(1) Background: There appears to be a growing disconnection between humans and their natural environments which has been linked to poor mental health and ecological destruction. Previous research suggests that individual levels of nature relatedness can be increased through the use of classical psychedelic compounds, although a causal link between psychedelic use and nature relatedness has not...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies September 1, 2019 Sam Gandy 44 citations
We are in the midst of a psychedelic research renaissance. With research examining the efficacy of psychedelics as a treatment for a range of mental health indications still in its early stages, there is an increasing body of research to show that careful use of psychedelics can yield a variety of benefits in “healthy normals” and so lead to “the betterment of well people.” Psychedelics have...
Psychiatry Research April 4, 2018 Alba Franquesa, Alberto Sainz-Cort, Sam Gandy et al. 58 citations
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic decoction originating from Amazonia. The ayahuasca-induced introspective experience has been shown to have potential benefits in the treatment of several pathologies, to protect mental health and to improve neuropsychological functions and creativity, and boost mindfulness. The underlying psychological processes related to the use of ayahuasca in a psychotherapeutic...
Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental September 1, 2016 José Carlos Bouso, Eduardo José Pedrero-Pérez, Sam Gandy et al. 48 citations
In the present study we explored the psychometric properties of three widely used questionnaires to assess the subjective effects of hallucinogens: the Hallucinogen Rating Scale (HRS), the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), and the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI). These three questionnaires were administered to a sample of 158 subjects (100 men) after taking ayahuasca, a...